I need help setting this variable up. Was wondering if this is correct syntax

IRSTLM=/home/user/irstlm

Is that possible to run from root? I need it to be done in root in order to access certain files, I can also add the rest of the command I am trying to run if you'd like to see the context it's being used inn.

New problem, don't know why but shouldn't this output the file with extension .arpa ? i dont seem to get that file and I require it to run the next command to finish compiling this program.